The wait is over, folks. On Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m. ET, the UConn Huskies kick off the 2024-2025 NCAA basketball season against the unstoppable Boston University Terriers. Okay, maybe not unstoppable, but, hey, they’ve got heart. UConn, on the other hand, has Paige Bueckers, and the hype couldn’t be higher for her long-awaited return to the court. The XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, will host this clash of…well, let’s just say “uneven” titans.
Paige Bueckers’ Grand Return: The One We’ve All Been Waiting For
Let’s not pretend we’re here for anything but Bueckers. After an injury-plagued few seasons, she’s back, and she’s got one mission: to win a national title before bidding UConn goodbye. Bueckers, of course, is the reigning queen of college basketball (apologies to Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark), and her every move is followed like she’s the basketball messiah. Pre-game rituals? Yep, she’s got them. Rumor has it she does something so quirky before games that even her teammates can’t help but stare, but that’s just part of the charm, right?
“I’ve loved my time at UConn,” Bueckers said during a Big East press event at Madison Square Garden, clearly trying not to tear up while imagining life after Huskies basketball. “But seriously, I’m just here to hoop and avoid thinking about the real world.”
UConn’s Loaded Roster: Did We Mention They’re Stacked?
As if Bueckers wasn’t enough to make any defense crumble, UConn’s got a roster that looks like it’s been assembled in a video game. Azzi Fudd? Check. Ice Brady? Yep. And don’t forget about KK Arnold, plus newcomers like Sarah Strong and the newly transferred Kaitlyn Chen. It’s like Geno Auriemma is collecting stars just for fun at this point.
Speaking of Auriemma, the man with 11 national championships (yeah, eleven) still looks like he’s not satisfied. When you’ve been coaching since 1985, “content” isn’t really in the vocabulary, especially when your last national title came in 2016, which—let’s be honest—might as well be ancient history for UConn fans.
Boston University: The Ultimate Underdogs?
On the other side, we’ve got the Boston University Terriers. Look, no one’s expecting BU to suddenly turn into basketball gods overnight, but hey, they get to share the court with UConn. That’s a win in itself, right? Sure, it’s basically David vs. Goliath, except Goliath has Paige Bueckers, and David forgot his slingshot.
Where to Watch: Because You Definitely Don’t Want to Miss This
If you can’t make it to the XL Center (why not?), you can catch the action on SNY, the regional sports network for New York and Connecticut. Prefer streaming? You’ve got YouTubeTV and FuboTV to make sure you don’t miss a second of Bueckers’ debut. Because let’s be honest, this game is less about the final score and more about how many times Paige makes us say “wow” in 40 minutes.
So, clear your Thursday evening and get ready for what’s bound to be an exciting—if somewhat one-sided—matchup. UConn is ranked No. 2 in the country for a reason, and Boston University? Well, they’ll at least get a great view of a potential national champion in action.
